Anti-whiplash vehicle seat

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an anti-whiplash vehicle seat for a motor vehicle, with a rear backrest covering, wherein the rear backrest covering includes a fixed side part and a central part, wherein the central part is mechanically fastened to the vehicle seat by a resilient element, and wherein the resilient element is fastened to the vehicle seat by a hook.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a vehicle seat, in particular for a motorvehicle, with a rear backrest covering, wherein the rear backrestcovering comprises a fixed side part and a central part, and wherein thecentral part is mechanically fastened, in particular at least in itslower region, to the vehicle seat by means of a resilient element. Thevehicle seat is to be suitable for reducing or avoiding whiplash, inparticular in the event of an impact from the rear.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In a passive anti-whiplash system, seat components, even the rearpanelling parts, contribute to carrying out the anti-whiplash function.In the event of an impact from the rear, the rear wall of the seatcomponent is subjected to a severe loading by the occupant plunging asmall distance into it. However, an increased plunging-in distance isdesirable if an occupant's head is to whip as little as possible to therear. A simultaneous and uniform interception of an occupant's body andhead is particularly desirable.

This gives rise to the requirement, for a rear seat panelling, that itas far as possible does not obstruct an occupant's body from plunginginto the backrest. It should assist the plunging-in operation byproviding only a slight or at least defined resistance to the bodywithout becoming lost or ejected itself. The same applies to flexiblelumbar supports or internal seat components which are of flexible designand strike against the backrest covering.

DR 101 14 385 B4 discloses a motor vehicle seat with a backrest, a headrestraint and a pivotable lever device arranged in between, the backrestsurrounding one end of the lever device, the head restraint surroundingthe other end of the lever device, and the pivot axis for the leverdevice being arranged within the backrest, the pivot axis being arrangedin the upper region of the backrest, and the backrest bearing, on itsrear side, a rigid lining shell which at least partially opens if thereis a crash-induced action upon one end of the lever device. In thiscase, it is provided that the lining shell or an opening part of thelining shell can be hinged about a hinge axis in the lower region of thebackrest.

JP 11048841 A discloses a shock-absorbing vehicle seat.

It is the object of the invention to provide an improved anti-whiplashvehicle seat. It is a further object of the invention to reduce theproduction costs for an anti-whiplash vehicle seat.

SUMMARY

The abovementioned object is achieved by a vehicle seat, in particularfor a motor vehicle, with a rear backrest covering, wherein the rearbackrest covering comprises a fixed side part and a central part whichis in particular dimensionally stable, wherein the central part ismechanically fastened, in particular at least in its lower region, tothe vehicle seat by means of a resilient element, and wherein theresilient element is fastened to the vehicle seat by means of a hook.

The central part is advantageously surrounded at the top and laterallyby the side part. However, it may also be provided that the central partcomprises an essential part of the rear backrest covering or isessentially the rear backrest covering.

In a further more advantageous refinement of the invention, the hookcomprises an inwardly directed lug. In a furthermore advantageousrefinement of the invention, the hook comprises a hook-side supportingsurface which, when the resilient element is subjected to a tensileloading, is pressed against a vehicle-seat-side supporting surface. Inthis case, it is advantageously provided that, when the resilientelement is not subjected to a load, the hook-side supporting surface isinclined, in particular by at least 20°, in relation to thevehicle-seat-side supporting surface.

In a furthermore advantageous refinement of the invention, the resilientelement is elastic only in one spring direction. In this case, theresilient element is essentially inelastic in the directions orthogonalto the spring direction. Essentially inelastic is to be understood herein particular as meaning that the elasticity of the resilient element inthe directions orthogonal to the spring direction is negligible, inparticular significantly negligible, in relation to the elasticity inthe spring direction.

In a furthermore advantageous refinement of the invention, the resilientelement comprises a U spring or is configured as a U spring, with the Uspring, in a furthermore advantageous refinement of the invention,comprising a rib for preventing the U spring from being compressed.

In a furthermore advantageous refinement of the invention, the resilientelement and the central part, or the resilient element, the hook and thecentral part, are configured as a single piece, in particular as aninjection-moulded part.

In a furthermore advantageous refinement of the invention, the centralpart is fastened in its upper region to the vehicle seat in the mannerof a hinge and/or such that it is pushed in.

The abovementioned object is also achieved by a vehicle seat, inparticular for a motor vehicle, with a rear backrest covering, whereinthe rear backrest covering comprises a fixed side part and a centralpart which is in particular dimensionally stable, wherein the centralpart is mechanically fastened, in particular at least in its lowerregion, to the vehicle seat by means of a resilient element, and whereinthe resilient element comprises a U spring or is configured as a Uspring, and/or the resilient element is elastic only in one springdirection.

The central part is advantageously surrounded at the top and laterallyby the side part. However, it may also be provided that the central partcomprises an essential part of the rear backrest covering or isessentially the rear backrest covering.

In this case, the resilient element is essentially inelastic in thedirections orthogonal to the spring direction. Essentially inelastic isto be understood here in particular as meaning that the elasticity ofthe resilient element in the directions orthogonal to the springdirection is negligible, in particular significantly negligible, inrelation to the elasticity in the spring direction.

In a furthermore advantageous refinement of the invention, the resilientelement comprises a U spring or is configured as a U spring, with the Uspring, in a furthermore advantageous refinement of the invention,comprising a rib for preventing the U spring from being compressed.

In a furthermore advantageous refinement of the invention, the resilientelement and the central part, or the resilient element, the hook and thecentral part, are configured as a single piece, in particular as aninjection-moulded part.

In a furthermore advantageous refinement of the invention, the centralpart is fastened in its upper region to the vehicle seat in the mannerof a hinge and/or such that it is pushed in.

The abovementioned object is also achieved by a vehicle seat, inparticular for a motor vehicle, with a rear backrest covering, whereinthe rear backrest covering comprises a fixed side part and a centralpart which is in particular dimensionally stable, wherein the centralpart is mechanically fastened, in particular at least in its lowerregion, to the vehicle seat by means of a resilient element, and whereinthe resilient element and the central part, or the resilient element, ahook of the resilient element and the central part, are configured as asingle piece, in particular as an injection-moulded part.

The central part is advantageously surrounded at the top and laterallyby the side part. However, it may also be provided that the central partcomprises an essential part of the rear backrest covering or isessentially the rear backrest covering.

In a furthermore advantageous refinement of the invention, the centralpart is fastened in its upper region to the vehicle seat in the mannerof a hinge and/or such that it is pushed in.

The abovementioned object is also achieved by a vehicle seat, inparticular for a motor vehicle, with a rear backrest covering, whereinthe rear backrest covering comprises a fixed side part and a centralpart which is in particular dimensionally stable, wherein the centralpart is mechanically fastened, in particular at least in its lowerregion, to the vehicle seat by means of a resilient element, and whereinthe central part is fastened in its upper region to the vehicle seat inthe manner of a hinge and/or such that it is pushed in.

The central part is advantageously surrounded at the top and laterallyby the side part. However, it may also be provided that the central partcomprises an essential part of the rear backrest covering or isessentially the rear backrest covering.

The abovementioned object is also achieved by a method for producing avehicle seat in particular comprising one or more of the abovementionedfeatures, wherein the vehicle seat comprises a rear backrest covering,wherein the rear backrest covering comprises a fixed side part and acentral part which is in particular dimensionally stable, wherein thecentral part is pressed, in particular at least in its lower region,against the vehicle seat from the rear in such a manner that a hookwhich is connected to a resilient element latches into the vehicle seat,with the resilient element being connected to the central part.

The central part is advantageously surrounded at the top and laterallyby the side part. However, it may also be provided that the central partcomprises an essential part of the rear backrest covering or isessentially the rear backrest covering.

In a furthermore advantageous refinement of the invention, the centralpart is pushed beforehand in its upper region into the vehicle seat. Ina furthermore advantageous refinement of the invention, the central partis manufactured together with the resilient element as aninjection-moulded part. In a furthermore advantageous refinement of theinvention, the central part is manufactured together with the resilientelement and the hook as an injection-moulded part.

The abovementioned vehicle seats may comprise a head restraint which ismovable forward passively or actively in the event of being used.

A motor vehicle within the meaning of the invention is, in particular, aland vehicle which is usable individually in road traffic. Inparticular, motor vehicles within the meaning of the invention are notrestricted to land vehicles with an internal combustion engine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a lateral schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment ofan anti-whiplash vehicle seat;

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the anti-whiplash vehicle seat according toFIG. 1 in a rear view;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a central part;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fastening claw in the unloadedstate;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fastening claw in the loadedstate; and

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the installation of a centralpart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a lateral schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment ofan anti-whiplash vehicle seat 1. FIG. 2 shows a detail of theanti-whiplash vehicle seat 1 in a rear view. The anti-whiplash vehicleseat 1 comprises a seat surface 3 and a backrest 2. The backrest 2comprises a rear backrest covering with a fixed (but, if appropriate,soft or upholstered) side part 22 and a dimensionally stable centralpart 21. Within the meaning of the invention, the side part may beentirely or partially part of a lateral backrest lining. In the presentcase, the side part 22 is elastic. The anti whiplash vehicle seat 1 isconfigured—as can be seen in FIG. 1—in such a manner that it allows anoccupant 5 or his body to plunge in by a distance S (of between 60 mmand 200 mm depending on the configuration) in the event of anappropriately severe impact from the rear.

FIG. 3 shows the central part 21 from a side which, in the fitted state,faces the anti-whiplash vehicle seat 1. The central part 21, which isconfigured as an injection-moulded part manufactured as a single piece,comprises push-in elements 42 and 43, by means of which the central part21 can be pushed or is pushed into the anti-whiplash vehicle seat 1 inthe manner of a hinge. The central part 21 also comprises latching hooks44 and 45, by means of which the central part 21 is clamped to theanti-whiplash vehicle seat 1. Suitable latching hooks can be taken, forexample, from US 2005/0248189 A1. In the event of an appropriatelysevere impact from the rear, of, for example, 1.5 g to 2 g, the latchinghooks 44 and 45 are destroyed and/or the latching hooks 44 and 45 arereleased.

In addition, the central part 21 comprises fastening claws 40 and 41.FIG. 4 shows the fastening claw 41 in the unloaded state and FIG. 5shows the fastening claw 41 in the loaded state. The fastening claw 41comprises a resilient element 410 which is configured as a U spring oras a “series connection” of U springs and at the open end of which ahook 412 is arranged. The resilient element 410, which is configured asa U spring or as a “series connection” of U springs, comprises a rib 411for preventing the U spring(s) from being compressed. The rib 411 mayalso be arranged on the opposite side.

For the fastening to the anti-whiplash vehicle seat 1, the hook 412 isguided via a shaped part 51 which, in turn, is pulled over a frame part52. The hook 412 comprises an inwardly directed lug 415 and a hook-sidesupporting surface 413 which—as illustrated in FIG. 5—is pressed againsta (vehicle-seat-side) supporting surface 414 of the shaped part 51 whenthe resilient element 410 is subjected to a tensile loading. When theresilient element 410 is not subjected to a load, the hook-sidesupporting surface 413 is inclined by at least an angle α of more thanapproximately 20° in relation to the (vehicle-seat-side) supportingsurface 414 of the shaped part 51.

In the event of an appropriately severe impact from the rear, of, forexample, 1.5 g to 2 g, and if the latching hooks 44 and 45 are destroyedor released, the lower region of the central part 21 folds to the rearand is secured by the fastening claws 40 and 41—as illustrated by way ofexample for the fastening claw 41 in FIG. 5. The fastening claws 40 and41 are designed in such a manner that they withstand an impact of morethan 10 g. The elevating resistance can be set via the number of foldsor via the extended length and the material cross section of theresilient elements and via the number of fastening claws. The springcharacteristics of the resilient elements of individual fastening clawsmay differ. The positions of the fastening claws are freely selectable.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the installation of the centralpart 1. In this case, the push-in elements 42 and 43 are first of allpushed into the anti-whiplash vehicle seat 1. Subsequently, the lowerpart of the central part 21 is pressed by a fitter 60 in the directionof the arrow 61 against the anti-whiplash vehicle seat 1 or the shapedpart 51, and therefore the hook 41 engages over the shaped part 51 inthe direction of the arrow 62.

The elements in FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are shown withsimplicity and clarity being taken into consideration and notnecessarily true to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elementsare illustrated in exaggerated form in relation to other elements inorder to improve the understanding of the exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 Anti-whiplash vehicle seat-   2 Backrest-   3 Seat surface-   5 Occupant-   21 Central part-   22 Side part-   40, 41 Fastening claw-   42, 43 Push-in element-   44, 45 Latching hook-   51 Shaped part-   52 Frame part-   60 Fitter-   61, 62 Arrow-   410 Resilient element-   411 Rib-   412 Hook-   413 Hook-side supporting surface-   414 (vehicle-seat-side) supporting surface of a shaped part-   415 Lug-   S Distance-   α Angle

1. Vehicle seat for a motor vehicle with a rear backrest covering therear backrest covering comprising: a fixed side part; and a centralpart, wherein the central part is mechanically fastened to the vehicleseat by means of a resilient element fastened to the vehicle seat bymeans of a hook, wherein the resilient element and the spring areconfigured as a single piece.
 2. Vehicle seat according to claim 1,wherein the hook comprises an inwardly directed lug.
 3. Vehicle seataccording to claim 1, wherein the hook comprises a hook-side supportingsurface which, when the resilient element is subjected to a tensileloading, is pressed against a vehicle-seat-side supporting surface. 4.Vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein, when the resilient elementis not subjected to a load, the hook-side supporting surface isinclined, in particular by at least 20°, in relation to thevehicle-seat-side supporting surface.
 5. Vehicle seat according to claim1, wherein the resilient element is elastic only in one springdirection.
 6. Vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the resilientelement comprises a U spring.
 7. Vehicle seat according to claim 1,wherein the resilient element is configured as a U spring.
 8. Vehicleseat according to claim 6, wherein the U spring comprises a rib forpreventing the U spring from being compressed.
 9. Vehicle seat accordingto claim 1, wherein the central part is fastened in its upper region tothe vehicle seat in the manner of a hinge.
 10. Vehicle seat according toclaim 1, wherein the central part is fastened in its upper region to thevehicle seat manner such that it is pushed in.
 11. Vehicle seat for amotor vehicle with a rear backrest covering the rear backrest coveringcomprising: a fixed side part; and a central part, wherein the centralpart is mechanically fastened to the vehicle seat by means of aresilient element, wherein the resilient element is elastic only in onespring direction.
 12. Vehicle seat according to claim 11, wherein theresilient element is configured as a U spring comprising a rib forpreventing the U spring from being compressed.
 13. Vehicle seataccording to claim 11, wherein the resilient element and the centralpart are configured as a single piece.
 14. Vehicle seat according toclaim 11, wherein the central part is fastened in its upper region tothe vehicle seat in the manner of a hinge.
 15. Vehicle seat according toclaim 11, wherein the central part is fastened in its upper region tothe vehicle seat in the manner such that it is pushed in.
 16. Vehicleseat for a motor vehicle with a rear backrest covering the rear backrestcovering comprising: a fixed side part; and a central part, wherein thecentral part is mechanically fastened to the vehicle seat by means of aresilient element, wherein the central part is fastened in its upperregion to the vehicle seat in the manner of a hinge.
 17. Vehicle seatfor a motor vehicle with a rear backrest covering the rear backrestcovering comprising: a fixed side part; and a central part, wherein thecentral part is mechanically fastened to the vehicle seat by means of aresilient element, wherein the central part is fastened in its upperregion to the vehicle seat in the manner such that it is pushed in. 18.Method for producing a vehicle seat having a rear backrest coveringcomprising a fixed side part and a central part, the method comprisingthe step of: pressing the central part in its lower region against thevehicle seat from the rear in such a manner that a hook which isconnected to a resilient element latches into the vehicle seat, with theresilient element being connected to the central part.
 19. Methodaccording to claim 18, the method further comprising the step of:pushing the central part in its upper region into the vehicle seat. 20.Method according to claim 18, the method further comprising the step of:manufacturing the central part together with the resilient element as aninjection moulded part.
 21. Method according to claim 18, the methodfurther comprising the step of: manufacturing the central part togetherwith the resilient element and the hook as an injection-moulded part.